Devin Haney vs. Ryan Garcia prediction, odds, start time, undercard, expert picks, PPV price, how to watch

Ryan Garcia’s erratic behavior has overshadowed all the stories involving him and WBC junior welterweight champion Devin Haney. The rivals face off in the boxing ring on Saturday, with only Haney eligible to win the title after Garcia lost weight on Friday.

A fight between two of boxing’s top young stars was swept up in the cyclone of Garcia’s worrying mental state. Garcia’s erratic behavior and obsession with conspiracy theories raised the question: “What happened to Ryan Garcia?” Most expect the implosion of a promising young boxer. Some viewers hope this is an elaborate ploy by Garcia, but losing three pounds of weight doesn’t support that theory.

Garcia is coming off a knockout over Oscar Duarte in December, a recovery from the first defeat of his career in his most high-profile fight to date. Garcia was stopped with a body shot against Gervonta “Tank” Davis, where many questioned whether he could have continued.

Haney appears laser-focused. The undefeated former undisputed lightweight champion has a legitimate beef with Garcia and has no sympathy for his opponent’s unstable conduct. Saturday presents an opportunity for Haney to usurp Garcia’s star power. Haney is the champion and most talented fighter; however, Garcia’s aptitude for social media makes him the most recognized fighter worldwide. The odds favor Haney as the better fighter in almost every regard, but Garcia’s speed and signature left hook create enough doubt and intrigue.

Haney has been on a roll the last few years. He became the undisputed lightweight king with two wins over George Kambosos in Australia in 2022, before vacating the titles and moving up to 140 pounds. He won the spot with a thrashing of Regis Prograis last December.

“Ryan may have the speed, but I have the timing,” Haney said. “I just want to show how I am above this guy. Ryan is an average fighter with a big name. [and] I was tested by some of the best fighters in the world.

“I think Ryan is a C+ fighter and I’m an A+ fighter, so it’s a mismatch. I’m here for a reason. It’s me against greatness.”

The only other fight of note on the undercard is the interim title on the line at flyweight, when John Ramirez takes on David Jimenez. Ramirez is undefeated at 13-0 with nine knockouts so far in his young career. The 27-year-old completed a perfect 2023 with a fourth-round knockout of Ronald Batista in October to earn his title shot. Jimenez, 32, is 15-1 with 11 KOs on his resume. Jimenez is on a three-fight win streak since his only loss in January 2023 to Artem Dalakian.

Let’s take a closer look at the rest of the undercard before making a prediction and picking the main event.

Haney vs. Garcia Fight Card, Odds

Viewing information

Date: April 20 | Location: Barclays Center – Brooklyn, New York
Start time: 8 p.m. ET
How to watch: DAZN PPV, PPV.com | Price: $69.99 with subscription, $79.99 without

Predictions

Campbell: The puncher chance that Garcia brings into the ring with him thanks to his sublime hand speed and reckless behavior of late is a challenge that Haney will need to deftly avoid early on. But the longer this fight goes on, the more likely Garcia’s fledgling technique is to let him down with the kind of mistakes that a master technician like Haney can easily make him pay for. Once Garcia recovers from an inevitably aggressive start, it becomes only a matter of time before Haney clocks him with the kind of clean counter that could immediately end the fight. Pick: Haney by KO8

Brookhouse: There are two ways Ryan Garcia could defeat Devin Haney. Let’s look first at the more complex path to victory. In this case, Garcia has to be better than ever, while Haney has to have the worst night of his career, which means Garcia has also done one of the greatest troll jobs in history, making everyone believe he’s in the middle of a mental attack. health crisis and focusing seemingly on everything but this, the biggest fight of his life.

Garcia’s other path to victory is much simpler. Focused or not. Mentally healthy or not. Just land your patented left hook on Haney’s chin in a way that keeps the champion grounded.

Haney is enthusiastic about his career and his reaction was successful, if not inspiring. When Jorge Linares caught him in the 10th round of their 2021 fight, Haney looked to just survive until the final bell, running and holding more than fighting. And late pressure from Joseph Diaz in the next fight seemed to bother Haney a little too.

But Haney improved and grew from those fights. He approached both fights against George Kambosos fearlessly, as he did against Vasiliy Lomachenko and Regis Prograis.

As much as I’ve toyed with the idea, I can’t choose Garcia to land the blow he needs for the knockout. Haney will not be defeated by mind games. He’s a boxer to the core, too focused to abandon his life’s work and fight recklessly, and Haney is, skill for skill, simply better than Garcia. Unless Garcia throws a perfect punch, the real question is whether Haney simply beats him tactically for a full 12 rounds or whether he finishes Garcia off. I think we see the latter, possibly with Garcia voluntarily escorting himself out of the fight along the way. Pick: Haney by TKO10

Wise: There is a possibility that some “mad as a fox” is at play here, but it will take a monumental effort from Garcia to prove that to everyone after what a hard slog it has been. At every turn, it seems like Garcia either didn’t take this seriously or rushed into a fight he knows he can’t win. Although Haney is not known for his power, he is without a doubt one of the most technically skilled fighters in the world. And with the openings Garcia must leave open when he tries to attack Haney from distance, Haney will punish him with vicious counters. Keep in mind that it’s not like Garcia is stone-chinned after being knocked out by Luke Campbell in 2021. Unless the decision to stop losing weight actually pays off early with strength, Garcia is bound to get caught up in some thing and not respond well. when it happens. Pick: Haney by TKO6

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